Int'l Chamber Publishes
Bridge Procedures Guide

The International Chamber of
Shipping, in an appeal to the
world shipping community to cut
down on marine pollution and
save lives at sea, has published
a new booklet to assist in the attainment
of these goals.

Called the Bridge Procedures
Guide, it is designed to provide
masters and navigating officers
of vessels of all flags with a description
of bridge procedures
widely recognized as good international
practice.

The simply written publication
includes both routine and emergency
check lists ranging from
procedures for the embarkation
and disembarkation of pilots to
action to be taken in case of
"man overboard." These check
lists can be removed from the
Guide and mounted on the bridge
bulkhead for ready reference, according
to H.T. Beazley, chairman
of the London, England-based organization
representing worldwide
shipowner associations.

In announcing the merits of
the new Guide, Mr. Beazley said:
"This Guide has been prepared
by mariners for mariners. It concentrates
mainly on basic procedures
and measures applicable to
all classes of vessels, and is aimed
to enhance the overall safety of
navigation. It is my firm view that
it has been the neglect of such
procedures that have been responsible
for so many navigational
casualties, causing not only pollution
but loss of life. Such tragedies
could and should have been
avoided.

Mr. Beazley noted that an "effective
bridge organization" is the
main key to the safety of navigation.
It is the duty of shipowners
worldwide to insure that
its importance is recognized by
their masters, he said. Furthermore,
he added, the Guide should
be equally valuable to deepsea
fishing vessels.

"I am convinced that if maximum
international support is given
to this Guide, an early and
significant reduction in navigational
casualties can be achieved,"
he concluded. "This would be
greatly in the interest of safety
of life at sea and the protection
of our marine environment. I
therefore appeal to shipowners of
all flags to circulate this Guide
widely and encourage compliance
with its provisions within their
own fleets."
A single copy costing 4*4
pounds (1 pound equal to roughly
$1.75 in U.S. currency) can be
purchased from Messrs. Witherby
and Co., Ltd., 32-36 Aylesbury
Street, London, ECIR OET, England,
with multiple copies available
at a lower per copy cost.